AV integration in a networked world

InfoComm 2016: AV over IP takes centre stage

AV over IP proved to be a major theme at InfoComm 2016 last week. Atlona (pictured) launched Omnistream – a range of networked AV products designed for integrating and distributing 4K/UHD video, audio, and RS-232 control over Gigabit Ethernet networks, employing off-the-shelf network switches. The range comprises single- and dual-channel AV encoders and decoders, along with a dual-channel Dante networked audio interface.

Meanwhile AptoVision’s stand featured a shootout between different codecs used in sending AV over Ethernet networks: the same still image was sent to four different displays using the company’s own BlueRiver NT+ technology, VC-2, H.264/265 and MPEG 2000. Not only did BlueRiver NT+ show the best picture quality – with no breakup of text and fine image detail; by moving a window on the display via mouse, they could also see that AptoVision’s technology showed the least latency.

Also making side-by-side comparisons was AMX, but here it was showing the performance of three of its own family of SVSI networked AV solutions sending 4K over Gigabit networks: the N1000, which uses MPC ‘Minimal Proprietary Compression’; N2000, which uses JPEG2000 and offers a trade-off between latency and bandwidth; and N3000, which uses H.264.

Crestron showed its the HD Streaming Transmitter/Receiver (DM-TXRX-100-STR). Configurable as a standalone transmitter or receiver, this is a compact H.264 network AV encoder/decoder designed to transmit HD content anywhere on the IP network and receive network AV content from anywhere on the network. It can be integrated with a DMPS3-4K Series Presentation System, a 4K 8X1 switcher or a low-cost DM transmitter to create a versatile, low-cost presentation room solution.